Stupid news articles

[x9200]

A lot of people just can not comprehend that if something does not fit their model, their culture, their liking, it is not necessarily an evil for all people on this planet. But of course they know better and if you don't share the same sentiments you are immediately an ignorant and Kool-Aid drinker.

[tiktok]

that comedy troupe?
https://mothership.sg/2018/09/kirsten-h ... r-mohamed/

This is exactly the kind of bullshit attitude that the media here produces. The people I mentioned care deeply about this country and social issues, and are incredibly brave to stand up against the government. The media smears them and most Singaporeans lap it up without question. Do you actually know anything about the work of this "comedy troupe"? Sure you may not agree with them, but that remark shows you're just thinking exactly what the government wants you to think.

[jalanjalan]

that comedy troupe?
https://mothership.sg/2018/09/kirsten-h ... r-mohamed/

This is exactly the kind of bullshit attitude that the media here produces. The people I mentioned care deeply about this country and social issues, and are incredibly brave to stand up against the government. The media smears them and most Singaporeans lap it up without question. Do you actually know anything about the work of this "comedy troupe"? Sure you may not agree with them, but that remark shows you're just thinking exactly what the government wants you to think.

oh dear. Are you a teenager? My apologies if you are actually a kid, as I assumed anyone posting here would be an adult.

[Addadude]

If what you and malcontent say is true - that everyone is fully aware of the terrible anti-democratic practices and massive media bias - my question is how can people not protest against it, let alone keep voting for the PAP?

Maybe because they're simply not that bothered about it for purely pragmatic reasons? Life is generally pretty good here and a LOT better than many other places. There has always been much mention of the 'unwritten social contract' that the Gahment has with SG citizens involving sacrificing some 'freedom' with the promise of a comfortable, safe way of living. And it seems like the powers that be have kept their side of the bargain.

[MOCHS]

From my 10 years of experience in moderating on another forum, why are y’all still engaging the clown? Just ignore the posts lah. This is becoming a circus.

[tiktok]

Hey Mochs, all I'm trying to do is have an honest open discussion about issues I feel are important to everyone living in this country. I can't help it if that upsets some people. I guess the truth hurts.

[malcontent]

If what you and malcontent say is true - that everyone is fully aware of the terrible anti-democratic practices and massive media bias - my question is how can people not protest against it, let alone keep voting for the PAP?

No system is perfect, and like anywhere it’s easy to point out the flaws, but I have learned to focus on end results that impact me personally. My biggest fear for Singapore in the long run is that a genuinely bad regime comes into power and the system lacks the checks and balances needed to limit the damage.

People have a lot of freedom here - one of the best passports in the world, you can go almost anywhere. Citizens here generally can get a work pass in other countries fairly easily. You can always vote with your feet and leave if you’re really fed up. But, what I’ve noticed over the years - people who are unhappy in one country typically find plenty to be unhappy about in the next country.

[tiktok]

Exactly, no government should ever have as much power as the PAP does now. Just imagine if, hypothetically, their intentions were not good. What could the people do? Absolutely nothing.

The optics are already shaky. Huge ministerial salaries. The prime minister's wife in charge of a huge sovereign wealth fund. Jailed opposition politicians. Meddling with the judiciary.

Not to put down the good life enjoyed by many here. But the natural tendency of any rulers is to consolidate power, and citizens must always be wary.

[jalanjalan]

From my 10 years of experience in moderating on another forum, why are y’all still engaging the clown? Just ignore the posts lah. This is becoming a circus.

I buy 4D on the date he finally gives up arguing.

[jalanjalan]

Exactly, no government should ever have as much power as the PAP does now. Just imagine if, hypothetically, their intentions were not good. What could the people do? Absolutely nothing.

The optics are already shaky. Huge ministerial salaries. The prime minister's wife in charge of a huge sovereign wealth fund. Jailed opposition politicians. Meddling with the judiciary.

Not to put down the good life enjoyed by many here. But the natural tendency of any rulers is to consolidate power, and citizens must always be wary.

what are you even on about anymore?

[malcontent]

Exactly, no government should ever have as much power as the PAP does now. Just imagine if, hypothetically, their intentions were not good. What could the people do? Absolutely nothing.

The optics are already shaky. Huge ministerial salaries. The prime minister's wife in charge of a huge sovereign wealth fund. Jailed opposition politicians. Meddling with the judiciary.

Not to put down the good life enjoyed by many here. But the natural tendency of any rulers is to consolidate power, and citizens must always be wary.

I am probably one of a small minority here who fully supports the high ministerial salaries. It’s not as if paying them well is resulting in higher taxes. And just look a the slime balls you get in countries that don’t get paid well. If you want highly capable people to give up high paying jobs in the private sector, you need to pay what it’s worth. In the US the only people willing to take top positions in the government are those who are in it for their own egos - that is the only incentive left to motivate them.

I wish my condo management would think the same way, they contract for cleaners based on how many headcount they get for the money. I’d rather pay double and get half the number who can actually work and do a good job rather than now, so many standing around and doing nothing all day, while nothing gets cleaned.

[x9200]

I share the views of Mal on this subject. As long as it works well and I consider this to be the case I have no objections for some freedom limitation and neither for high salaries. Western democracies have their own problems what clearly could be seen in recent years. All sort of populists openly manipulating the masses and abusing power once they got their foot in. Is it really so much better? People hungry for power, lacking any technical and moral quality to govern, but using taxpayers' money to bribe the masses to get (re)elected. I'd rather prefer more authoritarian approach with meritocratic ruling.

And who has and how much of the power is the same type of illusion as who has and how much of the freedom. There is no absolute freedom in any system and there is no system that is foolproof for power abuse.

[malcontent]

What real freedom limitations are there?

Political freedom? I have no interest in politics.

Press freedom? Singapore is open… it’s not like China where internet from the outside world is blocked off. Newspapers have almost become obsolete, and who watches the news anymore? This is the internet age, it’s pretty hard to keep a lid on anything.

Personal privacy? I don’t plan on doing anything nefarious, so why would I care? I’m glad they can track down nefarious individuals to stop or prevent a tragedy. In a way, that makes it safer and that gives people more freedom — you don’t have to worry about the bad hombres.

I am hard pressed to think of any freedom limitation that truly affects me personally at the present time.

[tiktok]

Re ministerial salaries, I agree they should be paid well. But so should judges and any other public post requiring a high level of integrity. The question is then how much? The PM used to get 3 million but that got dropped after a review to 2.2 million. Coincidentally that review occurred around the time of an election. That's why checks and balances are important.

I also am not directly affected by the controls on press and personal expression. I can't vote here and can leave any time. Nonetheless it bothers me greatly and has ruined some people's lives.

For example the blogger Roy Ngerng. Mention this guy to the average Singaporean and they'll write him off as some lunatic, because of mainstream press stories about him. In fact all he had done was write an article claiming with some evidence that CPF funds had found their way into Temasek investments and said the PM was a thief. Rather than seriously debate his claims, the PM sued for defamation for a huge sum he could never pay, he got fired from his job and nasty stories started appearing about him in the press. He since fled to Taiwan.

There are so many other cases like his. Probably no other government brings as many defamation suits against it's citizens and to my knowledge they never lose a case.

It's true, the average citizen isn't affected by this if they keep their nose down, work, consume and die. In the long term, this stifles ideas and innovation and Singapore will fall behind other countries.

[malcontent]

Keep your nose down, work, consume & die?

You make it sound like such an oppression to not be able to run your mouth.

Even if there was freedom to run my mouth, I have better things to do with my life. I feel sorry for anyone who feels oppressed by this, because whatever it is they are into — that is probably keeping them from living a full life.

I would not mix this with stifling ideas and innovation… that is an issue here - but it is a totally separate ball of wax.